Monday, October 20, 2008

My mom and I love the same things. I sometimes wonder if I would have the same taste in these things if it weren't for my mom. When I was growing up, my mom and grandmother would shop at thrift stores looking for old linens, jewelry and anything else that was a "quality" item that they could get for next to nothing. I think they were way ahead of their time. I also think there were a lot more great things available in the thrift stores back in the 60's and 70's just by looking at some of the things my mom bought. My mom started collecting perfume bottles and she has quite a collection. Last week she gave me some of hers...all of these pictured above! It was like Christmas as I was unwrapping each bottle. Here are closeups of some of them (you can click on them to enlarge).

This green one is my favorite!

She has 3 more of these old Shalimar bottles in different sizes!

This powder jar above belonged to my Grandmother so it's really special. I don't have very many things that belonged to her. She was born on Halloween in 1889 and she passed away December 19th 1986...one hour before my son was born.

Hi Cindy:I have a small collection of old perfume bottles also. I've bought a couple in antique stores, but they aren't cheap anymore.I guess this ages me...but I still use Shalimar occasionally. The bottles now are pretty plain.Your collection looks pretty on the tray.Ginger

Well..... I am such a dork..... I love old perfume bottles.... but didn't know what to do with them....duh.... gosh ..... that is just just stunning sitting under your chandelier..... I think that is why your taste and abilities are so refined because of your early influences.... I had none.... so I have some catching up to do....HugsLinda

Hi Cindy! I am a perfume junkie and am kicking myself that I didn't save all my old bottles!!! I even had Shalimar which I found a little too heavy to wear but the bottle was pretty! You got me thinking how many different perfumes I've purchased since 18!LOTS also I'm sorry your grandma passed so close to your son's birth. That must have been very hard. Glad you have that pretty container though. Nice Post - Have a great night - Jeannette

Love those bottles! I wish my mom and grandmother collected such beautiful little knick-nacks. I'm not sure unwrapping my mom's Boyd's Bears or old dolls would create such a pleasurable moment as you enjoyed.

Once again, you have done a fantastic job with your photos. Did you happen to notice on the fourth "enlarged" bottle photo, when you enlarge it, the stopper has a completely perfect reflection of the cupid dish behind it (with the peach beads) only it's upside down. I was hoping to see a reflection of you taking the picture, but, the upside down cupid is too cute.

When are you gonna show us some of the treasures you worked on over the weekend? Or didn't you get the chance?

I think this is one of my favorite posts. Those bottles are gorgeous and romantic. Another new thingie to remember to look for while thrifting in my town. The story about your Grandmother was like reading a short story...I wanted to hear more.....I loved your writings.WendyThanks for your help--I'm trying to track down the appliques to match the pictures.

Your perfume bottles are gorgeous! I was interested to read your post, because coincidentally, my grandmother passed her perfume bottles to my mom before she died in 1991 - a few months before my daughter was born. I don't have anything else of hers except 2 hankies and a baby blanket she crotcheted. My mom gave the bottles to me, and I display them on an antique vanity in my bedroom. I did a post about them last month. My favorite are cobalt blue Evening in Paris bottles, but I also love cut glass bottles and anything with an atomizer. I don't think mine are as old as yours. My grandmother was born in 1925 and I think most of hers are probably from the 1950's to the 1970's. I'm happy to have them, as I'm sure you are.

GASP! I LOVE your parfum bottles AND the tray they are resting on! I did a bit on making your own scents so if you'd like to fill those bottles with your own signature scent check my archives!Have a wonderful rest of the week.Laura

Hi Cindy, I can't wait to show your beautiful perfume bottle collection to my friend. She and I are "early birds" to Saturday morning garage sales. She loves perfume bottles too, and collects the miniature ones. You are so lucky to have inherited these treasures, and they fit PERFECTLY in your beautiful home.

I haven't seen a Dorothy Gray bottle in years! Thanks for a nice memory of my mother. I recieved a bunch of vintage perfume bottles from Freecycle. They are cluttering my dresser too! (:

By the way... have you ever checked the site Shopgoodwill.com ? There are loads of vintage perfume bottles on there sometimes. Just type "Vintage perfume bottles" in the search box and you'll see. You only have to bid on them! Careful though... it's addictive!!!

They are pretty. I hope you don't kill me after I tell you my story though.

My aunt passed away years ago and my uncle kept everything of hers until he died a few years ago. My sister and I would go to his place and clean out everything so we could get his place sold.

My aunt had lots of bottles of perfume from way back when. Some still had the perfume in them. She was funny because she would say she was saving them for when she went out. She didn't understand that in time they go bad.

Anyway, we came across bottle after bottle with some going back to when she was very young in the late 20's and early 30's.

I have bad allergies so I can't stand to be around perfume and my sister just doesn't like anything old so we gave them all away when we donated a bunch of stuff.

I guess someone was really happy when they found them at the thrift store.

I wasn't blogging then or I would have offered them to anyone who wanted them.

It would definitely be like Chirstmas to me, too. I have that swirly one myself. I just sold quite a few of my bottles at several large antique sales we had because we are moving and I'm trying to downsize. But I still have a passion for perfume bottles. See http://happenstancehouse.blogspot.com